Raping and especially gang-raping women seems to be one crime the society would have to fight headlong, by not excusing the criminals and blaming the victims. This evil has reared its ugly head at Bariga area of Lagos state as scores of women and girls are being molested daily by a group of men.
Helen (not real names) is a young lady attacked on the 21st January, 2014. Not only was she dispossessed of her phones and money, she was raped by five armed men. The incident happened on her way to work at about 5.05am at Idumota George Street, Bariga Lagos.
Investigation revealed that the criminals pounce on women who leave very early for work.
Helen confirmed to News Bytes that the five rapists had wanted to embark on a second round of raping her when another lady was sighted. She managed to escape as these men got occupied with their new victim.
Sources say this has become a regular occurrence on this street and the assailants are suspected to be residents.
The effect of rape on the victim is unquantifiable and more disturbing is how a great number of rape and gang-rape cases have gone unreported.
On one hand, the attending stigma makes it difficult for victims to report to the police or even open up to family members. Again, the justice system in Nigeria has not left much confidence in the citizenry, as rapists often get off the hook with judgment only one can describe as a slap on the wrist. At best, the culprit gets a year jailterm, sometimes, even less, and worst still is given an option requiring him to pay a fine as little as two hundred thousand naira.
This is hoping that Helen, as well as scores of victims that have fallen into the net of these 'Bariga Evil', will find succour as News Bytes call on the Police to make areas prone to crime safer for hardworking women who would want to go about their legitimate businesses
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